Brad Schmalz's body was found last week at a rural property north of Shellbrook. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Homicide investigation

‘His family and friends are heartbroken’: Several react to Shellbrook area homicide case

Oct 20, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Family and friends of a Shellbrook area man found dead last week at a rural property, are pleading for someone with information about the case to come forward.

Bradley John Schmalz, 48, was a resident of the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Shellbrook. Although RCMP have not said when he died, they have said investigators believe the death occurred sometime between Monday, Oct.12, and Thursday, Oct.15. According to a recent Facebook post by Schmalz’s sister, the family is actively searching for answers.

“Please, from the bottom of my heart, I’m begging anyone who knows anything to come forward. Our hearts are shattered beyond repair. He was a father, son, brother, and a close friend to so many. He deserves it,” she wrote.

“Nobody is happy with the amount of crime we have in the area” _{– Evan Davis}

Shae Nelson dated Schmalz in high school, and after more than 25 years the two recently reconnected over social media. Nelson told paNOW she last spoke to Schmalz about two months ago, and explained they had a good heart to heart chat.

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“He just talked about how he was trying to kind of find his way to becoming happier and healthier and I tried to boost his confidence that he was capable of doing whatever he put his mind to,” she said.

Nelson explained she was shocked and has had trouble sleeping since she was informed of Schmalz’s death Monday. Much like the rest of the family, she too is now waiting for answers.

“His family and friends are heartbroken and he’s going to be missed by so many of us and I pray that his soul is at peace,” she said. “I am so sorry for his family’s loss.”

The rural property where Schmalz’s body was found is approximately 32 kilometres north of Shellbrook, along Highway 240. The case remains an active investigation and at this stage there has been no word on charges, or if the incident was random. Doug Oleksyn, the reeve for the R.M. of Shellbrook, told paNOW he has not heard any specific details about the case, but explained there was an increase in crime in the area, specifically with relation to thefts.

“It just seems to be escalating in places and probably a lot of it is drug-related,” he said.

Evan Davis is the head of the local crime watch group and echoed Oleksyn’s concerns about criminal activity.

“Nobody is happy with the amount of crime we have in the area. RCMP are doing the best job they can but it just doesn’t seem to be enough at times,” he said, adding there was a spike in October that lasted about a week.

The autopsy was completed earlier this week in Saskatoon. RCMP officers are encouraging anyone who may have information concerning this investigation, including anyone who may have been in contact with Schmalz leading up to October 12 through 15, to contact the Ahtahkakoop RCMP at 306-747-2606.

Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell